It was a fabulous year!
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
April 14 - Rafa judged the Miss Hercules 2013 pageant in Hercules, California. He finally had the pleasure of meeting the fabulous Peter Sereno of Dear Pageant Girl (left) and reunited with the amazing pageant organizer and owner, Richard James White (center). Rafa also presented the Critical Beauty Award to the eventual winner of the competition, Kristiana Sunga (right).
A big thanks to Deybid Natanawan and Froilan Domico Dominique Carmelo for monitoring the Critical Beauty Facebook Page. Without them, the page would be infected with trollers, spammers, and haters!
_______________________________________________
![]()
A special thanks to Deybid for covering the Bb. Pilipinas 2013, Miss Philippines Earth 2013 and Miss Earth 2013 pageants, as well as coordinating the distribution of, and presenting the Critical Beauty Award to winner Golden Altamirano at Manhunt Philippines 2013 competition on October 4th.
_______________________________________________
![]()
Finally, a big shout out and thanks to Jodie Arabella Daimba, CB's special correspondent in the United Kingdom ...
![]()
... for providing us with a pictorial coverage of the 2013 Miss TS Philippines UK pageant
held on March 30th.
_______________________________________________
Thank you Critical Beauty Team for all your work and dedication for making 2013 a truly fabulous year for CB. But most of all, thank you to our dear fans
for their support and warm friendship!
2014 promises to be a bigger, brighter, and better year for all of us!
Rafa Delfin, Director
"The best part of beauty is that which no picture can express."- Francis Bacon
2013 has been a remarkable year for Hector Joaquin! He has become the most sought-after "misólogo" or "reinólogo" (a self-claim expert in beauty queens) - although HJ shuns both labels and prefers to call himself "experto en reinas de belleza" (an expert on beauty pageants). It doesn't matter what he considers himself, the media simply loves him! And every time they want someone's opinion on pageants, they always called HJ! HJ has accomplished so many things in 2013 that it would be a challenge to list all of them, but here are some of the most memorable highlights:
March 28 - HJ was interviewed by Julio Nuñez on Missiología 101 on Bumbia.com. HJ talked about his passion for pageants, Puerto Rican beauty queens, and gave tips on how to compete and succeed in pageant. Watch the entire interview.
_______________________________________________
April 30 - HJ was the guest of honor at the Miss Panama 2013 pageant.
_______________________________________________
May 21 - HJ was the president of the jury at Miss Teen Universe 2013 pageant in Nicaragua. He also served as the presenter of the Q & A segment where he asked a question to each of the five finalists. It was an unforgettable experience and the Miss Teen Universe Organization gave him a royal treatment. He was also interviewed by the Nicaraguan press and television.
_______________________________________________
August 3 - In an article published in Primera Hora, HJ says that he is no longer the "Sweetie Pie" of pageantry and that he will start reporting on the bad things in the industry and even denouncing beauty queens who are misbehaving! Yup, HJ will now be even more critical than ever!
_______________________________________________
October - HJ's web show "Missiología 101" debuted on Bumbia.com on Vida Mia TV. The show featured a special segment on the national costume competition of Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2014.
_______________________________________________
October - HJ did the "antesala" or prologue to Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2014 on "Dando candela" for Telemundo where he predicted that the candidate from Toa Baja, Gabriela Berrios, would win. And she did! In this photo, HJ gets a warm hug from Gabriela.
_______________________________________________
November - HJ was invited by Telemundo to serve as a commentator for "Un Nuevo Día,""Al Rojo Vivo" and for other programs on Telemundo Internacional. He did an exclusive interview of Miss Universe 2013 pageant for Primera Hora, being the only Puerto Rican media outlet in Moscow.
_______________________________________________
November 2 - HJ departed for Moscow, Russia to cover the Miss Universe 2013 pageant for Critical Beauty, HJ BLOG, and Missiología. He had the opportunity to be interviewed by the Colombian TV network, Caracol.
At the Media Center of the Crocus City Hall Theater, HJ chatted via Twitcam with pageant fans from all over the world who wanted updates and HJ's thoughts on the favorite contestants. The above screenshot shows HJ eating a sandwich while reading comments from fans. Yes, he can multitask! LOL
_______________________________________________
November - HJ's web show "The Fashion Patrol" debuts on Vida Mia TV. HJ and his co-host Maria Bertolez talk about fashion in Puerto Rico and around the world. Guests are also invited to discuss the latest trends in fashion and news involving the fashion industry.
_______________________________________________
November 5 - HJ's new reality show, "Lucha De Reinas" ("Battle Of Beauty Queens") debuted on Colombia's Fox Life network. On the show, HJ serves as a presenter, coach and judge to nine ex-beauty queens who will face challenges and situations that will take them out of their comfort zone. Evaluating the contestants are HJ, his co-host, the beautiful Luz Blanchet, plus one specialist according to the challenge.
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
Besides running the Critical Beauty website, monitoring the CB Facebook page, and coaching pageant contenders all year-round, somehow Rafa managed to attend several pageant-related events - and to stave off a controversy!
April 14 - Rafa judged the Miss Hercules 2013 pageant in Hercules, California. He finally had the pleasure of meeting the fabulous Peter Sereno of Dear Pageant Girl (left) and reunited with the amazing pageant organizer and owner, Richard James White (center). Rafa also presented the Critical Beauty Award to the eventual winner of the competition, Kristiana Sunga (right).
_______________________________________________
![]()
April 19 - Rafa appeared on TLC's reality show "I Found The Gown" that features brides-to-be in search of their dream wedding gown. The bride-to-be in question was Rafa's former protégée Alida D'Angona, Miss Massachusetts USA 2011.
![]()
Alida tries one of three dresses while her entourage composing of (L-R) Rafa, Cassie (Alida's best friend), Kristine (Alida's sister), and Miriam (Alida's mother) offer their honest critiques.
_______________________________________________
![]()
June 16 - Rafa's protégée Sarah Kidd competed in the Miss USA 2013 pageant in Las Vegas and proudly placed in the Top 15! Unfortunately, Rafa could not attend the pageant but was able to watch it at home.
_______________________________________________
![]()
![]()
Rafa also presented the Miss Critical Beauty Bahamas 2013 Award
to the stunning Shanae Strachan.
![]()
Rafa poses on the Red Carpet of the 2013 Miss Universe Bahamas pageant.
_______________________________________________
![]()
September 28 - A Facebook pageant page, The Pageant Queens, had posted Rafa's photo (above) with a question suggesting that Rafa may have masterminded the "demolition job" that sought to diminish Miss Philippines Megan Young's chances in winning Miss World 2013. It appears that someone had sent topless photos of Megan to the Miss World Organisation via e-mail and rabid Filipino fans - many of whom hate Rafa - quickly assumed that Rafa was the sender. He immediately took to Facebook and condemned the false accusation. The Pageant Queens took down the entire thread after Rafa threatened to report it to Facebook for libel and character assassination.
_______________________________________________
November 23 - Rafa attended the 2014 Miss Massachusetts USA/Miss Massachusetts Teen USA pageant at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium to cheer for her six protégées - three teens and three Misses. One of his teens, Samantha Agyeman, won the Best Style Award. Another one, Allison De Jesus, also won the same award in the Miss division. Rafa was proud of all his girls!
![]()
At the pageant, Rafa reunited with former Miss USA Susie Castillo (from Massachusetts) who is also a devoted vegan and animal rights activist like Rafa.
_______________________________________________
![]()
December 1 - Rafa attended the Miss Maine USA 2014 pageant in Portland to cheer and support her precious protégée Annie Jean-Baptiste who placed 2nd runner-up and also won the Best Style Award!
_______________________________________________
December 10 - Rafa started preparing a coffee table book on beauty pageants to be published just in time to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Critical Beauty in October 2014, so watch for it!
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
And last but not least, the Critical Beauty Philippines Team!
![]()
Alida tries one of three dresses while her entourage composing of (L-R) Rafa, Cassie (Alida's best friend), Kristine (Alida's sister), and Miriam (Alida's mother) offer their honest critiques.
_______________________________________________
June 16 - Rafa's protégée Sarah Kidd competed in the Miss USA 2013 pageant in Las Vegas and proudly placed in the Top 15! Unfortunately, Rafa could not attend the pageant but was able to watch it at home.
_______________________________________________
September 8 - Rafa judged the Miss Universe Bahamas 2013 pageant
held at Atlantis Paradise Resort. The winner was the beautiful Lexi Wilson.
Rafa also presented the Miss Critical Beauty Bahamas 2013 Award
to the stunning Shanae Strachan.
Rafa poses on the Red Carpet of the 2013 Miss Universe Bahamas pageant.
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
November 23 - Rafa attended the 2014 Miss Massachusetts USA/Miss Massachusetts Teen USA pageant at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium to cheer for her six protégées - three teens and three Misses. One of his teens, Samantha Agyeman, won the Best Style Award. Another one, Allison De Jesus, also won the same award in the Miss division. Rafa was proud of all his girls!
At the pageant, Rafa reunited with former Miss USA Susie Castillo (from Massachusetts) who is also a devoted vegan and animal rights activist like Rafa.
_______________________________________________
December 1 - Rafa attended the Miss Maine USA 2014 pageant in Portland to cheer and support her precious protégée Annie Jean-Baptiste who placed 2nd runner-up and also won the Best Style Award!
_______________________________________________
December 10 - Rafa started preparing a coffee table book on beauty pageants to be published just in time to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Critical Beauty in October 2014, so watch for it!
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
And last but not least, the Critical Beauty Philippines Team!
A big thanks to CB photographer Jonas Yu (with the evening gown winners of Miss Earth 2013) for providing us with great pictorial coverage of pageants and fashion shows
held in the Philippines and Thailand:
January 16 - Arielle Agasang's "High Profile" Fashion Show
January 19 - Mr. & Miss Sexy Body 2012
February 13 - Binibining Pilipinas 2013 Screening
April 14 - Binibining Pilipinas 2013 Red Carpet & Finals (50th Anniversary)
April 22 - Miss Philippines Earth 2013 Press Presentation
April 25 - Miss Bikini Philippines 2013 Grand Coronation Night
April 26 - Launching of Mister International Philippines/Manhunt Philippines 2013
May 5 - Miss Philippines 2013 Flores de Mayo
May 10 - Miss Tourism World Philippines 2013 Press Presentation
May 15 - Miss Tourism World Philippines 2013 Flores de Mayo/Gala
May 18 - Bb. Pilipinas 2013 Sagala/Flores de Mayo
May 19 - Miss Philippines Earth 2013 Finals
May 21 - Liwanag by Aze Ong: Exhibit/Fashion Show
May 23 - Ginoong Filipinas 2013 Finals
May 19-26 - Philippine Fashion Week featuring various designers
June 9 - Bodyshots X 2013 Press Presentation
June 14 - Arielle Agasang Birthday Fashion Show
June 21 - Mister International Philippines 2013 Finals
June 17 & 27 - Bodyshots X 2013 Finals
June 28 - Arielle Agasang Fashion Show
July 13 - Mutya ng Pilipinas 2013 Press Presentation
July 26 - Mutya ng Pilipinas 2013 Finals
July 27 - "Likha" - A Benefit Fashion Show
July 31 - Miss World Philippines 2013 Press Presentation
August 14 - Miss World Philippines 2013 Gala/Charity Night
August 18 - Miss World Philippines 2013 Finals
August 24 - Diversity Art of Fashion Cycle 27 & 28 Fashion Show
September 5 - Arielle Agasang's 3rd Year Anniversary "Mega Fashion Show"
September 14 - Reyna ng Bulacan 2013
September 15 - Manhunt Nueva Ecija
September 18 - Arielle Agasang's The Grand Launch - Top Model (Male Division)
September 24 - Philippines Cosmo Bachelor Bash
October 4 - Manhunt Philippines 2013 Finals
October 19 - Unity in Fashion - A Benefit Fashion Show
October 20-27- Philippine Fashion Week featuring various designers
October 23 - Body Art of the World Fashion Show
October 24 - Playmate of the Year Philippine Gala 2013
November 4 - Face of Beauty International 2013 (Thailand)
November 5 - Miss Grand International 2013 Press Conference
November 6 - Miss Grand International 2013 Visit to Grand Palace & Emerald Buddha (Thailand)
November 8 - Miss Grand International 2013 Reception Dinner (Thailand)
December 7 - Miss Earth 2013 Finals
December 9 - Don Cristobal Runway Show
_______________________________________________
 |
| Deybid |
 |
| Froilan |
_______________________________________________
A special thanks to Deybid for covering the Bb. Pilipinas 2013, Miss Philippines Earth 2013 and Miss Earth 2013 pageants, as well as coordinating the distribution of, and presenting the Critical Beauty Award to winner Golden Altamirano at Manhunt Philippines 2013 competition on October 4th.
_______________________________________________
Finally, a big shout out and thanks to Jodie Arabella Daimba, CB's special correspondent in the United Kingdom ...
... for providing us with a pictorial coverage of the 2013 Miss TS Philippines UK pageant
held on March 30th.
_______________________________________________
Thank you Critical Beauty Team for all your work and dedication for making 2013 a truly fabulous year for CB. But most of all, thank you to our dear fans
for their support and warm friendship!
2014 promises to be a bigger, brighter, and better year for all of us!
Rafa Delfin, Director
"The best part of beauty is that which no picture can express."- Francis Bacon